Monday, November 29, 2010

Yeah, so I have been on both sides of this fence. I have sent manuscripts to Ronnie that I thought were amazing but she thought were not up to snuff. And I have had clients send me books that they thought were fantastic but I felt were flabby. My first reaction on both sides of the fence: #@*&%#

OK, so as I writer, I folded. Fell into a fetal position and downed chocolate until my sugar high made me dizzy and delirious. And to be honest, I have not written in a while and the YA that I am so excited to write is sitting in a folder, waiting for me to show up to the page. Why? Because I am afraid I might not write a perfect novel---hello inner critique, so nice to see you again.

As an agent, I feel the same way--ok, not as bad---but pretty bad knowing I may be sending my authors into a chocoholic frenzy. I try to write my critiques in a nice, encouraging way, but when I read them back I realize they are blunt and and well, they are not a bear hug....not even a baby squirrel hug.

So, once you put down the chocolate, reread the critique and realized that you are not a phony, what do you do?

Choices, choices, choices...
1-talk to your agent and get clarification on what is and isn't working
2-if you agree with your agent, great--revise away
3-if you love the book and your agent doesn't, well it is decision time.
--Maybe you need to put this book aside and work on something else.
--Maybe this is where you realize you and your agent have different visions for your career, your work, your place in the market. No, you don't just pack your bags and wave adios. You call, you talk, you figure things out. Your agent chose to rep you because he/she loves your work. Maybe not this book but your next one and maybe while this current book is sitting in a drawer and you are writing your next bestseller, you will figure out how to fix the 'in the drawer' book. Wonderful things happen when you let go and live.
4-Maybe you and your agent are not the best match and a different agent will 'get' all your work and be able to bring out the best in every book you present him/her. Maybe. {{think time}}

I don't know if this was all that helpful but this post is just to let you know you are not alone. You are not the only one this has happened to. And, this is not the end of your writing career as you know it. It is a crossroads. Choose well!

The frantic fellow above was created by the fabulous Mike Lester. The squirrel, he is courtesy of google images and if he doesn't get a move on he is going to be roadkill. (Don't read too into the metaphor, you know....the squirrel is a writer wistfully waiting for approval and not moving forward, not moving backward, frozen in self-doubt...writer roadkill.)

Can you tell it is getting late and I need to stop babbling......nite'all:)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Please click on the link above and bid for my critique or for other wonderful products and services that many loving people are donating to help Bridget in her time of need. It takes a village. Please join our village NOW!

The action ID is: bridgetkicks and the password is: cancer. (People will need this information if you send them a link to a specific item, or if they use any link other than the one above.)
Winners will be notified by Sunday, December 5th, and will be sent instructions for payment at that time.
As soon as payment is received, donors will ship or otherwise provide the item won to the winning bidder.
You can also direct people to Bridget's blog, where she posted all of this information today: http://www.bridgetzinn.com/blog/

If anyone has questions or needs assistance, they can email bridgetkickscancer@gmail.com.

All proceeds from this auction will go to Bridget Zinn and Barrett Dowell. Bridget was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in February 2009. After receiving treatment in Portland for 18 months, Bridget and her husband Barrett are now traveling to Phoenix for one week every month for innovative treatment at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Not all of their costs for this promising treatment are covered by insurance. Bridget & Barrett's friends and family are rallying to help them pay the bills so that they can focus on Bridget's health and kick cancer. Artists, authors, and other friends and acquaintances have donated items in the spirit of love and hope.